I'd been keeping an eye on the weather all week (that's
the English obsession with the weather for you) and had thought we were going to
be in for a cloudy day with perhaps a little rain but as we headed south the clouds
cleared and we had nothing but blue skies all day.
The Pinkpop Classic event was a gathering of some of the older rockers that had
appeared at the rather larger Pinkpop event in the past. The presenter cracked a
joke or two about his and the gathered crowd's age and some joker had altered the
'No crowd surfing' sign by adding a walking frame and a stick.
Some festivals begin a little quietly but it appears that
Janse Bagge were not going to let that happen and clearly
they were well known getting a really great reception. They performed loads of covers
translated into Dutch but a local dialect so that even the people we came with could
not really follow the lyrics. The songs covered included Fiesta, Lola and loads
of others that I forgot so if you know more then please use the feedback form and
let me know.
Wishbone Ash were up next.
I'd photographed them at Arrow and I was pleased to be getting a chance to update
the pictures. I could not remember much about the guys' music from the previous
show but perhaps it was the warm weather or the large crowd but this time I was
really into the music. They also took part in a signing session later on.
Raymond van het Groenewoud
& Band are a Belgian act. Raymond turned up dressed as a marching band
leader complete with cap and stick. Very bizarre but apparently quite popular with
the crowd.
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
are another of those acts that everyone knew the name of. They finished off with
the song they are most known for, Come up and see me, but clearly they are an act
that has so much more to offer. Steve had also taken part in a signing session earlier
in the day.
Willy DeVille & Band,
Willy has a really long career and you will know the song Spanish Stroll. Willy
appeared on stage extravagantly dressed in Native American style.
Marillion were for me the
reason I'd come to the festival. They started with Splintering Heart and finished
with Neverland. In between they played The Other Half, You're Gone, Fantastic Place,
Afraid of Sunlight, Between You and Me, and Thank You Whoever You Are. I can't be
certain this was all so again if you know differently then please let me know. Eric
was forced to put in an appearance to equip H with his rhythm section that someone
had forgotten to attach to the mic stand while H continued to sing with a very amused
look on his face. Anyway the hour simply rushed past far too quickly. The guys also
appeared at a signing session earlier in the day.
Status Quo were headlining
the festival. I've photographed the guys a couple of times previously and I was
looking forward to seeing them again. I guess you either love them or hate them
(musical snobbery I'm sure) and I fall into the former category so it really was
great to finish off the day listening to so many songs that I'd grown up with.
While you are browsing
the page look out for this
, when you see it you
will find a gallery of pictures when you click the icon. You can see a load of pictures
of those of you who attended the festival here
.